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Lesson 6 of 6
  • Year 8

Keeping safe in our community

I can explain how to stay safe in public spaces, to trust my instincts and to seek help or report harmful behaviour.

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Keeping safe in our community

I can explain how to stay safe in public spaces, to trust my instincts and to seek help or report harmful behaviour.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. We can use personal safety strategies in public spaces, such as staying alert and being aware of our surroundings.
  2. Trusting instincts is an important way of recognising when a situation doesn’t feel right.
  3. There are places and people you can ask for help in public spaces and ways to report harmful behaviour.
  4. Taking steps to increase safety does not mean someone is at fault if they experience harmful behaviour.

Keywords

  • Precautions - steps taken in advance to keep yourself or others safe from harm

  • Instinct - your gut feeling about something

Common misconception

If someone experiences harm in public spaces, it’s because they didn’t take enough precautions.

Harmful behaviour is always the responsibility of the perpetrator, not the victim. Safety strategies help reduce risk but do not remove blame from someone who causes harm.


To help you plan your year 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Keeping safe in our community, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Speak to your RSHE lead or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) before teaching this lesson. You may decide to provide information on local safe places or support networks specific to your area (e.g., police community support officers, helplines, etc).
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which term means the state of being equal?

Correct Answer: equality

Q2.
Which of these is an example of showing respect to others in a public space?

only being polite to people you know
ignoring everyone around you
Correct answer: speaking politely to staff in shops and cafes
only helping people who are similar to you
Correct answer: holding the door open for someone carrying heavy bags

Q3.
Everyone has equal under the law, no matter their background.

Correct Answer: rights

Q4.
Why is it important to be kind to people we don't know in public spaces?

Correct answer: Our actions affect everyone around us and help create safer communities.
It's not important - we only need to be kind to friends.
Because we might get in trouble if we're not kind.
So that people will always be kind back to us.

Q5.
What does it mean to take 'precautions'?

to worry about everything that might go wrong
to blame yourself when something bad happens
Correct answer: to take steps in advance to keep yourself or others safe
to avoid going out in public spaces

Q6.
Match each scenario to whether it shows kindness and respect or not.

Correct Answer:laughing at someone's traditional outfit,being disrespectful of someone's culture

being disrespectful of someone's culture

Correct Answer:helping someone pick up dropped items,showing kindness and respect

showing kindness and respect

Correct Answer:excluding someone from a group,being unkind and unwelcoming

being unkind and unwelcoming

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.

Correct Answer:precautions,steps taken in advance to keep yourself or others safe from harm

steps taken in advance to keep yourself or others safe from harm

Correct Answer:instinct,your gut feeling about something

your gut feeling about something

Correct Answer:safety plan,steps you’ll take to stay safe and what to do if something feels wrong

steps you’ll take to stay safe and what to do if something feels wrong

Q2.
Which of the following are examples of personal safety strategies in public spaces?

listening to music on full volume through headphones
Correct answer: staying alert and being aware of our surroundings
Correct answer: moving away quickly and calmly if we’re uncomfortable
purposefully keeping to poorly-lit areas to avoid seeing anyone

Q3.
Ivy is walking through town when she notices someone following her. Her heart starts beating faster and she feels uneasy. What should Ivy do?

Ignore the feeling because she can't explain why she's worried.
Correct answer: Trust her instinct and move to a safe place like a shop or library.
Wait to see if something bad happens before taking action.
Continue walking home the same way to prove she's not scared.

Q4.
Match each safe place or person to what they can do to help.

Correct Answer:police officer or PCSO,a trusted adult who can provide help in public spaces

a trusted adult who can provide help in public spaces

Correct Answer:shop displaying Safe Spaces sign,a business that has agreed to be a safe place for young people

a business that has agreed to be a safe place for young people

Correct Answer:Childline,confidential helpline for advice and support

confidential helpline for advice and support

Q5.
Harry was walking home when someone shouted aggressively at him, making him feel scared. Who is responsible for this harmful behaviour?

Harry, because he didn't take enough precautions.
Harry, because he should have taken a different route.
Correct answer: The person who shouted aggressively at Harry.
Both Harry and the person who shouted equally.

Q6.
Trusting is an important way of recognising when a situation doesn’t feel right.

Correct Answer: instincts, your gut, your instincts